Birders Diary Blog

A return holiday to the Isles of Scilly, after an absence of 3 yrs, started unusually on the Sunday 6th, with the accomadation being from Monday-Monday, we travelled down Sunday morning, and we were able to get some birding in Cornwall, first stop Pendeen, where an adult male Daurian Shrike had been found on Friday.

We soon located the Shrike, on rough ground with gorse patches, it was catching insects and perching up, before flying long distances to hunt another area, so good views were had as it flew by, a stunning bird and probably the best I've ever seen out of 10 or more I've had before.

Ad Male Daurian Shrike Pendeen Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

Ad Male Daurian Shrike Pendeen Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

Ad Male Daurian Shrike Pendeen Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

Ad Male Daurian Shrike Pendeen Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

Ad Male Daurian Shrike Pendeen Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

We left after adding a Whinchat and several Stonechat, a couple of Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat, and arrived at Hayle estuary where a Black-winged Stilt and a Lesser Yellowlegs had been seen, after passing a group of 25 birders near the road, we parked by the pub and viewed the estuary, and it wasn't long before the Black-winged Stilt was picked up roosting with a few Redshank, the tide was quickly filling the creeks and pushing waders to higher ground and closer to the prom wall, a couple of Brent Geese, several Little Egrets and several Greenshanks and a single Little stint amongst a flock of Dunlin.

Black-winged Stilt Hayle estuary 6th Oct 2013

Little Egrets Hayle estuary Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

A scan of the near by waders close to the birders, revealed the Lesser Yellowlegs, which disappeared from our view behind the pub, we relocated to the prom next to the other birders, but it became obvious that they were'nt on the bird, but were watching the Stilt, the legs was just 25 yds away in front of everyone, we got people onto it and managed some shots before an Osprey flew low overhead and flushed everything, the Yellowlegs flew across the road to another pool, while the Osprey gave great views.

Juv/1stw Lesser Yellowlegs Hayle estuary Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

Juv/1stw Lesser Yellowlegs Hayle estuary Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

Osprey Hayle estuary Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

Osprey Hayle estuary Cornwall 6th Oct 2013

We stayed in the Travelodge overnight and caught the Scillonian Monday morning, a relatively quiet crossing in the calm conditions, with just a single Bonxie, lots of Gannets, and several pods of Common Dolphins.

Common Dolphins from the Scillonian 7th Oct 2013

Common Dolphins from the Scillonian 7th Oct 2013

Common Dolphins from the Scillonian 7th Oct 2013

Gannet off Scillonian Oct 2013

After docking at St Marys, we set off to Newford duck pond where an Arctic Warbler had been found, it took quite a while before the bird showed, under the large willow at the back of the pond, the long supercil, obvious wingbar, thick bill and dark greenish upperparts.

A Jack Snipe and 2 Water Rail were seen at Lower Moors, with a Kingfisher flying through and the juv Purple Heron was seen in flight as it tried to go to roost in trees, but flew again probably disturbed by someone in the dump clump.

Water Rail Lower Moors St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Kingfisher St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

The next full day, we strolled up to telegraph, where someone had seen a Olive-backed Pipit, a search had been carried out without success , but upon checking the area an Olive-backed Pipit was heard to call, with nothing seen, it may have flown over a hedge into one of the fields, but could not be located.

The Purple Heron gave better views in flight over Porthloo duck pond,were a Tree Pipit had eveyone fooled it was the OBP, 2 Raven flew over and another Kingfisher was seen, a Wryneck was seen distantly and briefly at the end of a field.

Juv Purple Heron St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Juv Purple Heron St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

The Wryneck was seen again in the morning at Porthlow farm, several Wheatears and Rock Pipits were on Porthloo beach, with a Whimbrel, while up at Lower broome platform on the garrison, 1-2 Yellow-browed warblers put in brief showings.

Wyrneck St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Whimbrel St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Rock Pipit St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

A Bluethroat was showing exceptionally well at the dump clump, coming closer than it was possible to photo, the only downside was the low light in the shaded copse.

Bluethroat St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Bluethroat St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

An adult and 1stw Med Gulls were in Porthcressa bay, while a pod of Common Dolphins could be seen distantly off shore.

Another Wryneck was seen near Juliets garden cafe and the edge of the golf course on a rocky outcrop, but was very elusive and flighty.

Wryneck St Mrys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

A trip over to Tresco to see the Sora Rail on the great pool, after a very long wait and a walk back to the far quay ready to get the boat back, we had to return to the hide to see the bird feeding and bathing on the edge of the reeds distantly, 16 Greenshanks were also on the pool, and while watching the bird while trying to get somme record shots, another crake or rail sp walked by it, but someone was hogging the scope and the mystery bird remained unresolved, 3 Jack Snipe showed well from the hide, 15 Redwing flew overhead, and a few Chiffchaff but not much else of note.

Record shot of Sora Rail Tresco Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Record shot of Sora Rail Tresco Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Migrant Hawker Tresco Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Little Egret Tresco Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

A couple of showy Lapland Buntings were on Penninas Head amongst the rocks on the old town side, while a Snow Bunting showed ridiculously close on the main track to the head.

Lapland Bunting St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Lapland Bunting St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Lapland Bunting St Marys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Snow Bunting St Maarys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Snow Bunting St Maarys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

A Whinchat, 6 Blackcap, a Whitethroat and lots of Meadow pipits were in a sloping field at the back of old town cemetry, were the Red-breasted Flycatcher showed briefly and distantly.

Red-breasted Flycatcher St Maryys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Red-breasted Flycatcher St Maryys Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

Two Yellow-browed Warblers were seen in lower moors, while another 2 were seen by old town cemetry, and then the Grey-cheeked Thrush had been pinned down and was seen a few times inside the cemetry with a couple of record shots were taken before it was flushed.

Grey-cheeked Thrush Isles of Scilly Oct 2013

A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen at the Garrison calling briefly, and the boat crossing back produced more Common Dolphins, a poss Grey Phal near St Martins, a poss Great Shearwater and a Minke Whale, and that was it for another time, and as Arnie says, "I'll be back".